I UPER DARBY PA R. W.MARQUIS blREC70R 

A BANDY AID 

- . FOR BARDWOOD LOG GRADERS 

I 

In hardwood log grading, the beginner encounters a formidable task: to memorize ,the 

specifications, exceptions to general rules, 

etc . , as set down in the U. S . Forest Products 

Laboratory1 s ffHardwood Log Grades for Standard 

Lumbe~;"' He must refer to this text repeatedly 

until he becomes - fami1ia.r with all the ins and 

outs of the job. This slows him down greatly in 

(~ctually, , when he becomes proficient he ' needs only a quick look at the grading faces sf 

. a log to assign it its proper grade. Scaling 

alone may often show him what grade a log belongs in. ) * 

'u..s. FOREST PRODUCTS LABORATORY. HARDWOOD LO6 GRADES FOR 

STANDARD LUMBER. PROPOSALS AND RESU~TS. U.5. FOREST PROD. LAB. 

, RPT. NO. 01737. 15 PP., ILLUS. MADISON. Wts. 1949. 

I 
4' 

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To make the work of iog grading faster aN 

easier for the beginner, the author has devel- 

, oped a visual outline of the log-grading system 

that can be put' on a scaling stick in combinaa 

tion with any conventional log rule such as . Internatio~'1, Doyle, and Scribner. 

This log-grade scale is ghown on the attached sheet, broken into four sections. The 

heavy solid lines indicate minimum diameter and 

length limits of the three factory grades, specifications for ywch are given in the Forest 

Products Laboratory report. Ihe heavy dotted 

lines indicate variations in the specifications, 

based on diameters and lengths within grade. 

Because of limited space on the rule, many 

of the terms used are abbreviated. For example, 

CL. CUT--3 ' --2--3/4 means .that the minimum length 

of clear cuttings allowed within this grade is 3 

feet; that the grade allows not more th6n two 

clear cuttings per face; and that the clear cuttings must make up at least 3/4 af the face. 

Other abbreviations are shown on the attacked 

drawing. 

In addition, the first section of the grade 

rule shows the required yield (in feet df clear 

cuttings) for even-length logs. The last sec- 

* 

tion lists some of the most 2ommon exceptions to 

the log-grade specifications. 

To make a log grade rule, you can reproduce 

the sections illustrated on one side of a blank 

rule stick 15 to 1-3/4 inches wide. The lines, 

numbers, etc. , can be stamped, printed with ink, 

or painted on the rule. Light tinting of the 

&fferent grade sections with different colors 

is helpful. On the other side, the log rule de- 
For temporary use, you can make a log-grade . 

rule by cutting out the sections on the attached 

sheet ,and pasting them on n rule stick. Spraying 

with plastic will make it last longer. 

This log-grade rule will not do the entire 

job for the log grader. It is only an aid. 

*Beaic training in log grading is still necesThis log-grade rule has been used extensively by personnel of the Northeastern Forest ' 

bperiment Station. It has proved a time-saver 

not only in trainlng log graders and as an aid 

to beginners, but also as a memory guide for the 

forester who grades logs only occasionally. 

I 
 REQUIRE^ YIELD IN 

CLEAR CUTTINGS FOOT COG 

12 14 - 16-FOOT -LOG 

CL.CUT.- 2'-NL- 1/2 

ALL. SWEEP BUTTS ONLY -50% 

TOT. O€DOCT.--50% '- 

TOT. DEDUCT.--~~% 

BUTTS 6 UPPERS 

CL. CUT.-5'-2-5/6 

ALL, SWEEP- 15% I 

TOT. OEOUCT- 40% 

EXCEPTIONS: (I ) IO"D.I.B.LOGS OF GRADE F-I SURFACE QUALITY MAY GO GRADE F-2. 

(2) ASH AN0 BASSWOOD MINIMUM DIAMETER FOR GRADE F-1-12'! 

" GRAOEF-3" I' F-2 

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